Air released spring set brake control



Oct. 10, 1950 s. SCHNELL AIR RELEASED SPRING SET BRAKE CONTROL Filed Feb. 8, 1946 U w R Q%\ Nm r S NM .3 & 3 un mm wm v v t a mu MN mm v aw o n \w w M. X E n t ww wm NN w m MN INVENTOR STEVESCHNELL Nn an QM %w m 3 \Qi 7 7/4? x mm \w Po ?atentecl (Set. 1 0,

AIR RELEASED SPRING SET BRAKE CONTROL or Steve Schnell, Kirkwood, Mo.,assignor to Wagner Electric Corporation, St. Louis, Mo., a corporation of Delaware Application February 8, 1946; Serial No. 646,296

4 Claims. (01. 313-372 This invention relates to industrial brakes and in its more specific aspects discloses an improved control therefor.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide a control for an industrial brake in which a convtrol Valve actuator is equipped with mechanism to provide increasing resistance to brake pedal travel as pressure; is released from a brake motor to simulate the action ordinarily felt when operating truck and tractor brake systems.

Another object of the invention is to provide a I brake.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an industrial brake having a pressure fluid motor to disengage the same interlocked with the electrical system operating the device with which the brake is associated so that the brake will be spring set when the electrical system is de-ener' gized.

A further object of the invention is to provide an application valve for a brake system in which the resistance to movement of the brake pedal is increased as pressure fluid is released from the brake cylinder to thereby apply said brake and in which the resistance increases in proportion to the release of pressure fluid from the brake motor and also in which system means is provided to prevent the release of the brake in the event of insuflicient pressure fluid together with suitable signals to inform the operator of pressure fluid conditions.

Other and further objects of the invention will occur to those skilled in the art to which this application pertains as the description proceeds, which, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, sets forth a preferred embodiment of the invention but such disclosure is not to be construed as a limitation of theinvention which 2 resist the application of force to a control valve to release pressure fluid from the brake motor so that he will thereby-be apprised of the braked condition of the mechanism to which the brake is applied, as Well as inform him by visual or other suitable signals of other operating conditions in the brake control device. Y

The single figure of the drawing is a diagrammatic View of structure embodying the invention. The aboveobjects and advantages are achieved in the mechanism set forth in the drawing in which numeral l designates a conventional base of an industrial brake having arms 2 and 3 pivoted thereto on pins 4.and 5. Suitable brake shoes or'lining holding elements G-and 1 are pivoted to arms 2 and 3 on pins 8 and 9, respectively. A rod or eye-bolt I0 is pivoted to the upper end of arm 3 by means of pin H, and nut I2 is threaded to the opposite end of eye-bolt [0 which extends through a suitable slot or aperture formed in brake actuating arm I 3 which is pivoted to arm 2 by means of pin l4.v When arm I3 is rotated about pin M, the brake lining holding elements 6 and 1 and the arms with which they/are associated are moved toward or away from the brake drum IS in order to control the rotative motion of the drum.

-A bracket I6 is secured to base I and has a cylinder I! provided with a stem l8 pivoted thereto by means of. a pin l9 to permit rotational motion between cylinder I1 and bracket l6. Disposed Within cylinder I1 is a piston 20 to which piston rod 2| is secured which is suitably connected to a fixture 22 pivoted by means of a pin 23 to the brake actuating lever l3 of the brake assembly. A spring 24 is interposed between fixture 22 and a closure 25 for the cylinder, said closure having a sleeve extending upwardly to serve as a packing retainer and guide or bearing for piston rod 2|. Spring 24 normally urges brake rod I 3 upwardly to apply brake shoes 6 and 'l to drum l5 and when pressure fluid is admitted to chamber 26, the spring is compressed to thereby disengage the brake shoes from brake drum l5. s

It is desired that a control be provided for the brake having means associated therewith to enable the operator to be aware of a brake feel to give him some indication of the actual braking condition of the brake assembly. The removal of pressure fluid from cylinder chamber 26 is regulated by a valveZlwhose construction is similar to that shown in United States Patent No.

2,259,809, issued October 21, 1941, and reference is Made thereto for a more detailed explanation of the operation of said valve. A suitable conment 45.

3 duit 28, preferably flexible in character, is connected to cylinder chamber 26 and leads to a fixture 2% associated with a control switch whose function will be set forth later. Another conduit is connected to fixture 29 and leads to the outlet port 3! of valve ET. The outlet port is arranged in a suitable housing 32 connected by a suitable securing means to the main body of the housing 3 2 of valve 27 and a diaphragm 35 is connected between the two housings. A spring 35a is arranged below diaphragm 35 to assist in urging it upwardly. Housing 34 is provided with a port 55 which functions as an exhaust port for valve Housing 32 has an inlet port 31 formed therein and a valve seat 38 is formed in housing 32 controlled by a valve 38 having a fluid passage or port 40 therethrough for the passage of pressure fluid admitted into the chamber 4| to conduit 30 from the source of pressure fluid sup ply. Valve 39 is secured to a valve stem -42"which has an exhaust valve 43 arranged on the other end-thereof. Valve stem 42 is slidably received in closure 34.41 and a spring 33 surrounding stem :22 urges valve 3% into engageinent with seat 38. Valve is engageable with a seat 44 secured to element 45 arranged in housing 34 and diaphragm is secured to element 4-51 Disposed within valve seat element 45 is a movable plug 46 having a'spi'ing ii interposed between said plug and ele- An actuator rod 48 is extended through an opening in the upper end of housing 24 which is pivotally connected to an actuating lever 49 by means of a pin 56. A plate is appropriately secured to housing 34 and has a bracket EE'thereon with which a pi 52a is associated and on which lever is-pivotally mounted. Secured to the lower sideof plate 5: is a cup 53 and a spring is disposed within said cup. A plunger rod 55 is pivotally associated with lever 49 by means of a pin 56 and'at the'opposite end of the plunger rod is plunger 5? which is received within cup 53 and is engaged by spring 54; said spring normally urging plunger 57 to the position indicated inthe drawing. Lever 49 is manually-operated, preferably by foot operation, in order that the vehicle or crane operatorwill be working under a condition similarto that which exists in motor vehicle operation. To prevent the ingress of foreign matter into valve housing 34, a'suitable boot 5% is provided as shown.

The inlet port 3? hasa conduit 59 connected thereto 'which leads to a fixture 80 with which a switch is associated, to be subsequently described, and a conduit 8! leads from fixture '68 to a control valve A conduit 83 is connected'between control valve 62 and a pressure fluid reserve'tank E i with which a'suitablepump 55 is appropriately connected.

The valve 52 is solenoid-operated and has a solenoid 85 provided with a plunger 61. The solenoid 66 is suitably secured to the valve housing 65 and within said valve housing there is a lever suitably pivoted therein on a pin 70. Disposed on opposite sides of housing 68 are two springpressed valves '1'! and i2 and operatively connected with lever 6i These valves are so associated that when valve H is open, valve :2 will be closed and vice versa. Valve H has the pressure fluid supply conduit 63 connected thereto supplied from power lines a switch 15 is connected.

ciated with such devices. A normally closed pushbutton switch '2; is connected in one of the lines in the manner illustrated.

Means have been providedto control the operation of the motor which drives the drum l5 so that when there is no pressure fluid in conduits 28 and 3%, the circuit for said motor will be interrupted. This comprises an air pressure switch 18 associated with fixture 29 and comprising a cylinder l3 having a plunger 88 therein having a rod 8| associated therewith, and arranged exteriorly of cylinder '19 on rod BI is a movable switch con tact bridging member 82.

A signaling device to indicate the presence of sufiicient pressure in the pressure fluid in conduits 58and {ii is provided on fixture 60 consisting of a pressure fluid switch 23 comprising a cylinder 83d associated with fixture 60 having a plunger 84 therein with which plunger rod 85 is associated and having a movable switch contact bridging member 85 connected thereto exteriorly of cylinder se The control circuit for the signaling device originates with conductor 81 connected to the power line 15 and leads to one of the fixed contacts of pressure fluid switch 83 and a conductor 88 is connected to the other fixed contact of pressure fluid switch 83 and to an indicator lamp 89. Conductor 99 is conn cted between lanip'89 and the power line 14. I i

The motor control circuit originates in a conductors! connected to conductor 8 leading from power line 15 and is connected to one of the fixed contacts of pressure fluid switch'lii; conductor'92 is connected from the other fixed contact of switch 18 to a coil 93; and a conductor94 is con nected between'coil 93 and conductor 90'. 0on ductors 9| and 94 are connected to conductors 81 and 90, respectively, which are connected to power lines 14 and T5. The coil 93 controls a switch in the motor pilot circuit of which conductors 95 and 91 are elements and'the open'or closed condition of switch 95 will determine whether or not the motor 98 mechanically con nected to drums l5 and electrically connected to the pilot circuit will be in condition for operation to rotate drum [5,

The operation or the brake mechanism is dependent upon' the manual actuation of valve '43 in valve '21 to allow pressure fluid to escapefrom' cylinder H in measured amounts tothereby permit spring 24 to increasingly apply the brake shoes 6 and 1 to brake drum [5. The spring'24 will also apply the brake in the event the pressure in conduits 28 and 30 falls below a predetermined value, thereby opening switch '18 and'de-e ier gizing coil 93 and opening switch 95 thereby opening the motor'pilot circuit. The spring 24 will also apply the brake in the event the circuit to solenoid 66 is interrupted by opening switches 16 v --f. p

"Assuming that the pressure fluid system for the brake is empty, closure of switch 16 will'ener'gise solenoid which will actuate lever 69, thereby opening inlet valve ll and closing exhaust valve 12 to permit pressure fluid froni'reserve tank 64 to flow through conduit/s59 and BI to the inlet port 31 of valve 21. 'Valve 39 will be open because spring 54'will have depressed diaphragm 35 and spring 35a through plunger46, thereby closing exhaust valve 43 to prevent the escape of pressure fluid fromport 36. The strength of springs 54 and 41 is so proportioned that the'afores'ai'd'coriditions" will result. Pressure fluid will, therefore, flow through port 40, out through port 3|, into conduits and 28 to chamber 26 of cylinder IT. The springs 54 and 41 are tensioned to maintain a predetermined pressure, for example, forty pounds, in chamber 26 to keep spring 24 compressed whereupon diaphragm will have moved upwardly to compress spring 41 to close valve 39 while keeping valve 43 closed. This action will take place regardless of any higher pressure of pressurefluid which may be present in the supply tank 64. Assuming that the brake drum and the mechanism connected thereto are in operation and it is desired to apply the brake to the drum, pedal or lever 49 will be actuated, thereby compressing spring 54, lifting plunger 46, and relieving the tension on spring 41. Assuming that it is desired to relieve twenty pounds of pressure, spring 54 will be compressed one-half, thereby producing or simulating a brake feel and when the requisite pressure has been relieved from chamber 26 past the port controlled by the exthe drawing in which valve H is closed, thereby shutting off supply tank 64 and opening valve 12. Under this condition pressure fluid will be exhausted from chamber 26 through conduits 28 and 30 and out through ports and 31, conduits 59 and BI, exhaust valve 12, and conduit 13.

In the event the pressure of the fluid in supply tank 64 is insufficient and solenoid 66 has been energized, the pressure condition will be manifested in indicator lamp 89 because the plunger in pressure fluid switch 83 will not cause bridging element 86 to engage the fixed contacts thereon and in this event it will not be possible to release the brake shoes from brake drum [5.

In the event there is insufficient pressure in the pressure fluid in conduits 28 and 30, pressure fluid switch 18 will not close. This condition will keep the circuit to coil 93 open and prevent the closure of the motor control circuit.

Is is evident from the foregoing that the operating conditions are the reverse of those existing in other systems. Normally the operator opens a valve to admit pressure fluid to a brake operating motor with increasing pressure in the brake motor providing the increasing resistance to pedal depression and producing the feel but in the instant device pressure fluid is released from a brake operating motor to apply the brake and while releasing pressure fluid, the instant device provides increased resistance to pedal depression. It is also evident that in the event of failure of the pressure fluid supply, the brake will be applied.

Having fully described my invention, that which I claim as novel and desire to protect by Letters Patent of the United States is:

A brake mechanism comprising a rotatable member; an electric motor for driving said rotatable member; a pair of brake shoes engageable with said rotatable member; a spring for normally engaging said shoes with said rotatable member; a pressure fluid motor for disengaging said shoes from said member; a valve forcontrolling the flow of pressure fluid to said pres- 6; sure fluid'motor; a source of pressure fluid;- a second valve for controlling the flow of pressure fluid from said source 'to'said first mentioned valve; a solenoid for operating said'second valve; a circuit for the electric motor; means in said circuit responsive to the pressure fluid supplied to said pressure fluid motor for controlling said circuit; a circuit for said solenoid; and a switch for controlling the opening and closing of both circuits so that said pressure fluid motor may be' actuated before said motor circuit is energized.

2. A brake mechanism comprising a rotatablemember; an electric motor fordriving said rotatable member; apair of brake shoes engagea-- ble with said rotatable member; a spring for nor-- mally engaging said shoes with said rotatable; member; a pressure fluid motor for disengaging; said shoes from said member; a valve for controlling the flow of pressure fluid to said pressure fluid motor; a source of pressure fluid; a second valve for controlling the flow of pressure fluid from said source to said valve; a solenoid for operating said second mentioned valve; a circuit for the electric motor; means in said circuit responsive to the pressure fluid supplied to said pressure fluid motor for controlling said circuit; a circuit for said solenoid; a switch for controlling the opening and closing of both circuits so that said pressure fluid motor may be actuated before said motor circuit is energized; a signal means; a circuit therefor; and a pressure fluid operated switch responsive to pressure fluid derived from said source for signaling pressure conditions in the pressure fluid supplied to the pressure fluid motor.

3. A brake mechanism comprising a rotatable member; an electric motor for driving said rotatable member; a pair of brake shoes engageable with said member; a spring for applying said shoes to said member; a pressure fluid motor for releasing said brake shoes from said member; a

source of pressure fluid; a valve for controlling the application of pressure fluid to said pressure 'and be introduced and held in said pressure fluid motor for disengaging said brake shoes from said member and when in another position, compressing said spring, therebypermitting pressure fluid to be exhausted from said pressure fluid motor, and enabling said spring to apply said brake shoes to said member; a solenoid-operated valve for controlling the flow of pressure fluid, from said supply to said valve means; means for informing the operator of the pressure condition in said supply; a circuit for the electric motor; and means for closing said circuit operated by pressure fluid passing said lever operated valve means to thereby enable said electric motor to operate the rotatable member.

4. A brake mechanism comprising a rotatable member; an electric motor for driving said rotatable member; a pair of brake shoes engageable with said rotatable member; a spring for normally applying said brake shoes to said rotatable member; a fluid motor for compressing said spring to disengage said brake from said rotatable member; a mechanism including means for admitting pressure fluid to said fluid motor to thereby compress said spring and having other means for regulating the flow of pressure fluid from said motor to permit said spring to apply a said brake; means for actuating said mechanism constructed and arranged to enable'the'operatorto feel the degree oi braking; a source of pressure fluid; a valve for controlling the application of pressure fluid, to said mechanism; a solenoid for operating said valve; a circuit for the electric motor; a pressure fluid operated, switch for controlling said; circuit operable by pressure fluid supplied to said motor; a circuit for said solenoid; a switch for controlling said last menr tioned circuit and the application of pressure fluid to said mechanism for the operation of said fluid motor; and meansresponsive to pressure fluid in said source for informing-the'operator-of the pressure condition of pressure fluid supplied to said valve.

STEVE SCHNE L.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,659,203 Jackson Feb. 14, 1928 1,794,461 Jackson Mar. 3, 1931 2,065,820 Mellon Dec. 29, 1936 2,215,356 Hewitt Sept. 17, 1940 2,270,431 Freeman Jan. 30, 1942 2,288,912 Mears July 17, 1942 2,336,887 Piron Dec. 14, 1943" 

